L'Eau d'Issey Eau Essentielle

Cool, fresh soapy scent, jasmine a little different. The bottle is beautiful, although purely based on the scent I would say it is gray-blue, the color of clouds before a storm, when the sky is closed by clouds into a dome of calm, the foamy sea washes the shore with waves and it is quiet. Paradoxically, it immediately evokes an advertisement for Bvlgari Aqua Divina. The scent is different, the atmosphere is similar.

I tried it on today – it was my first time, and it was a sample I had... and I absolutely loved it; it’s unlike anything I have at the moment. It’s fresh, yet it has a slightly soapy, sweet note to it – it’s hard to explain. I think it’s perfect for spring and summer.

This is beautiful. Im thrilled with my bottle. Dont necessarily like the cheap feel of the actual bottle but the juice is stunning. Aquatic, fresh, pretty, angelic. How you would imagine a waterlily to smell.

The aquatic side really stands out — it feels different from everything else. I perceive it as something novel, and it pleasantly surprised me because I was tired of seeing more and more perfumes that all smelled like the same thing. But at the same time, it has a touch reminiscent of 2000s perfumes. It’s completely aquatic and fresh, yet still comes across as sweet. It’s definitely special.

I am disappointed. First very light sugary sweet on me then turns some what masculine. It gives me wafts of masculine scent that I don’t want. Maybe because of then watery notes. Then a clean green smell that is ok.

Wow, Issey is back! I wasn't particularly impressed by the other 2026 release, Lumière, which is in my opinion compeltely off-topic and off-brand. Essentielle, on the other hand, is Issey Miyake. The bottle is Issey, the 90s/Y2K aesthetic is Issey, and that slightly edgy character is Issey too. I'm glad to see the brand hasn't completely drifted away from what made it distinctive in the first place. I still don't quite understand what they were trying to do with Lumière, but perhaps that will become clearer with time. As for the scent itself, it reminds me of Acqua di Gioia. It's a fresh aquatic citrus with green framing, supported by white florals. The pear note is particularly prominent in the opening, although it doesn't survive far into the drydown. It's pure, clean, and minimalistic, yet not boring. Issey Miyake has always been good at creating streamlined compositions that still feel special, and Essentielle continues the tradition. This time, however, there's also an aromatic facet that gives the fragrance an extra character. I wonder if it's similar to d'Issey Lotus, which is on my wish list of discontinued fragrances. It has a similar profile, maybe resurrection to some degree? For now at least it looks like it's a successful return to the brand. But I'm still salty about the discontinuation of the A Drop line, though. That's just stupid.

This could be pretty good for summer, can't wait to try it.